Turkeys gobbling, hunters listening

Southern Illinois is home to one of the most abundant and diverse populations of wildlife in our nation. As such, it draws sportsman from across the country to hunt and fish in the wooded areas. This week saw the start of the spring turkey hunting season in Illinois.

Roger Snodgrass, local outdoorsman and bowstring manufacturer spoke to the Daily Register about the spring season.

"The weather plays a key factor in any hunting season," Snodgrass said. "This year, the cold and rain may impact the hunt. It can be tough in conditions like this."

Snodgrass stated that most of the pre-season buying is done and hunters have taken to the field to stalk their quarry now. In the area of hunting weapons, Snodgrass states that the "stand by" is the Winchester 870, though Benellis and Berettas are popular.

"The Benellis can be a little expensive though," Snodgrass said.

In our area, several public fish and wildlife areas offer good turkey hunting. There are two Saline County Fish and Wildlife Areas in the county. Sahara Woods near Carrier Mills and Glen O. Jones Lake near Equality are good spots to start your spring season.

Sahara Woods encompasses approximately 4,100 acres, The area was a former surface mine which consists of spoil ridges interspersed with timber, grasslands, small ponds and a large lake. The site is rich in wildlife and as a fairly new wildlife area, has not been hunted out. It is located 3 miles northwest of Carrier Mills, 5 miles west of Harrisburg. Take Route 13 west from Harrisburg, south on Carrier Mills blacktop, west on Town Park Road.

"There are a lot of turkeys in that area," Snodgrass said.

The Glen O. Jones Lake end of the Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area is located 5 miles southeast of Equality. This area was the site of springs and wells that furnished brine for one of the two local salt works. The area primarily is a recreational site now. The initial acquisition of 524 acres of land was made in 1959 by the state of Illinois, and the total acreage now totals 1,270 acres, including a beautiful 105-acre lake. Saline County State Fish & Wildlife Area is a combination of bottomland bordering the Saline River and hilly land bordering the Shawnee National Forest.

The rugged, rocky hills are heavily timbered and surrounded by brushy areas that provide cover for a variety of game animals..The site is contiguous with the U.S. Forest Service property on Eagle Mountain and that area can be accessed from the Saline County Fish & Wildlife site. To reach the site take state Route 13 east from Harrisburg, turn right onto Route 142, travel 1 mile, turn right, drive 5 miles to the park entrance.

Both these areas are under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and state laws and regulations apply. Site specific information is available through the Internet. The phone number for Sahara Woods is 618-994-2022. The phone number for Saline County Fish and Wildlife Area is 618-276-4405.